American Water Highlights EPA's Fix a Leak Week 2023

In 2009, Fix a Leak Week was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense Program to educate and encourage Americans to locate and fix leaks. It’s typically recognized during the second or third week of March (starting on Monday and ending Saturday).

According to the EPA, household leaks waste approximately 1 trillion gallons of water every year in the United States. On average, a household can waste around 180 gallons of water per week due to leaks. That’s equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash 300 loads of laundry!

At American Water, we highlight this week by providing Leak Detection Kits for each state across our national footprint and household tips to help you find and fix leaks in your home:



FAUCETS
A slowly dripping faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons of water per day. If you notice that a faucet is dripping, first try closing it tightly. If it continues to drip, you may need to replace the washer. For more information, consult our Leak Detection kit below to see if it’s worth trying to fix yourself or if you might want to call a licensed professional.

SHOWERHEADS
If your tub spouts and/or showerhead are leaking, you may need new washers on the faucet handles. For more information, consult our Leak Detection kit below to see if it’s worth trying to fix yourself or if you might want to call a licensed professional.

TOILETS
Did you know that toilet flushes make up about 25% of the average household water use? If you suspect you have a toilet leak, some common causes are float arm problems, tiny pinhole below the overflow pipe’s water line, or a defective plunger ball (flapper valve). For more information, consult our Leak Detection kit below to see if it’s worth trying to fix yourself or if you might want to call a licensed professional.

WASHING MACHINE
A washing machine leak isn’t a very common indoor leak, but this is not one we would recommend that you try to fix yourself. Call your certified washing machine repair service to stay safe (and dry).

LEAK DETECTON KITS
If you suspect you have a leak, our state subsidiaries each provide their customers with a Leak Detection Kit. Learn more:

• California American Water
• Iowa American Water
• Illinois American Water
• Indiana American Water
• Kentucky American Water
• Maryland American Water
• Missouri American Water
• New Jersey American Water
• Pennsylvania American Water
• Tennessee American Water
• Virginia American Water
• West Virginia American Water

What do Americans know about their water infrastructure system?
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